Group claims Govt, callous

Press, 26 April 1988, Page 3

Group claims Govt, callous

PA Wellington The latest increase in unemployment figures — up 23,000 on the same time last year — was described yesterda.v as “an awful indictment of the Government’s. economic programme.”

The comment came from (Sue Bradford, spokeswoman for Te Roopu Rawakore o Aotearoa, representing unemployed and beneficiaries'; groups.

She said the Government was (“callous towards the effect its policies have on growing numbers; of people without work. The Minister of Employment,! Mr Goff, and his| colleagues are deliberately [ vicious in their acceptance that unemployment [ will keep going up and up. and that there's nothjng the Government! should or could do about it,’ she said. “The i Government

should see that these figures actually represent human beings whose lives are being dreadfully affected by the depression, i family break-up, and despair which unemployment i causes in people. "Everyone ‘ worries about the violent crime [ rate, but we see Government policies which [ create unemployment as [ the most violent crime [ there is right how," Ms| Bradford said.

Unemployed groups wanted the Government to find a way of paying off the public debt “other than throwing people out of work and dismantling the economy." “We suggest a programme for ’ economic construction, where the State would play an active role in creating jobs, especially in regions where unemployment has aljready virtually destroyed many communities." [ [